Leverage

'How I Met Your Mother' (8PM ET, CBS)
Ted and Barney make a very bromantic decision together, while Robin tries to convince Marshall and Lily that moving to the suburbs is a terrible idea. We've already seen the episode, and it's one that fans absolutely shouldn't miss.

'You Deserve It' (9PM ET, ABC) series premiere
A six-episode unscripted series in which contestants aren't out to win money for themselves, but are playing for someone else -- someone they feel deserves it. Starting with a $10,000 round and going up to a $250,000 round, contestants purchase a series of clues to help them solve the puzzles and win money for their chosen recipient. The beneficiary, who is in another location under constant hidden-camera surveillance throughout the show, gets the surprise of a lifetime when family, friends, Brooke Burns and a camera crew burst in with life-changing news.

Every December, our eyeballs are bombarded with holiday-themed episodes and specials. Usually, the only thing that is remotely special is a guy pretending to be Santa or some cranky curmudgeon learning the true meaning of Christmas.

Bah humbag, how many times does a TV character have to learn that giving is better than getting before my TV realizes I already know that?

'Leverage' seemed to realize most of the pitfalls of turning their crew loose during the holidays with last Sunday's mid-season opener and did a good job of avoiding them, only to fall for the honey-baked ham dangling over the biggest hole of them all.

For much of the season, the 'Leverage' team has been jumping through hoops because of the mysterious influence exerted by the beautiful woman whom only Nate has met, 'The Italian.' And in a game of leverage, she had it because of her connections to Dominic Moreau. If Nate and the team didn't do her bidding, he'd be returned to prison.

So when the opportunity arose in this show to turn the tables on the Moreau, there was no question that Nate and company would go for it. "Let's go steal a federal witness," was the start of the con called the Cuban sandwich.

Five years ago. Boston Museum of Art & Antiquities. Nate Ford and his team didn't know each other well, and narrowly pulled off a heist for a priceless dagger.

Looking back on that night, just who took the dagger out of the museum? Each team member on 'Leverage' (Sun., 9PM ET on TNT) tells the evening's events from his or her own point of view.

In Parker's version, the dagger literally dropped perfectly into Nate's hands -- after she struggled to understand Sophie's English accent (recounting it as gibberish in her story) and climbed through a ventilation shaft. Well, regardless, no one can believe Parker's "butter fingers" saved the day.

On 'Leverage' (Sun., 9PM ET on TNT), several small-business owners are conned into committing crimes. So Nate Ford and his team are determined to find the real crook. Guess who the culprit is? Nate's dad Jimmy (played by Tom Skerritt).

But that doesn't mean Jimmy will get away with his crooked deeds. What does he have in mind? Something that leads Jimmy to say, "You betrayed your own father. You're more ruthless than me ... I'm proud of you, son." Now that's one odd father-son relationship.

"TNT has enjoyed tremendous success on Sunday and Monday nights with 'Leverage,' 'The Closer' and 'Rizzoli & Isles,'" Michael Wright, executive vice president and head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies, said in a statement. "All three shows feature terrific casts, sharp writing and top-notch production teams. We look forward to continued success with new seasons in 2011."

How do you determine jealousy, exactly? Well, breaking a beer bottle out of sheer stress might be a a good sign.

[Spoiler alert.]

On 'Leverage' (Sun., 9PM ET on TNT), Parker (Beth Riesgraf) starts to realize that she has feelings for one of the team members. But she only really understands that she likes Hardison (Aldis Hodge) once she sees him talking to another girl. The two of them are in a bar, and Parker twice crushes a glass beer bottle in her hands, just from annoyance at witnessing the scene.

But once Parker gets Hardison to come over and is finally able to talk to him, she actually can't say what is on her mind. First, Parker starts to confess her attraction: "So I have to tell you something," she says.

"Okay," Hardison replies.

But then, Parker seizes up. "So, the thing is, I think that maybe I might be having ... weird, weird feelings for -- pretzels!" Obviously, this is based on Parker just looking for the first around her in the bar, and then coming up with a lie.

Oh, Parker, will you ever say what is on your mind? And, oh -- dramatic TV shows! Would you ever be able to stretch things out without an endlessly protracted romance?

On Sunday night, there's going to be a lot of amazing television to watch, but one program that's a must-see is the return of TNT's 'Leverage.' The Timothy Hutton caper series is back for season 3 with a two-hour bonanza episode that will pick up on the cliffhanger ending from last winter. That means the game's afoot, as Sherlock Holmes would say, only this time the odds are definitely stacked against the team.

With the third season of TNT's 'Leverage' starting on Sun., June 20, at 9PM ET -- a two-hour premiere -- we thought it would be fun to take a look back at some of the best moments and character bits from episodes gone by.

For those of you who may not be familiar with 'Leverage,' here's some reasons to tune in ... before you watch the clips.

'Leverage' has the style and wit and zip of caper movies like 'The Sting' or 'Ocean 11' (the George Clooney-Brad Pitt and a cast of hundreds version). If you like the action and Robin Hood quality of 'Burn Notice,' you'll love it on 'Leverage,' too.

Have you noticed that some of the most popular and dynamic TV shows have lead characters who like to court danger? Whether it's Nate Ford on 'Leverage' heading up a crack team that's on the run from Interpol, or Michael Westen on 'Burn Notice' inviting an enemy to kill him if he can, today's TV characters are precariously living their lives on the precipice of danger. Take a look at our six examples of TV characters that are living dangerously. Are they intrepid or just plain crazy?

This is Spoilers Anonymous, a weekly column here at TV Squad where we supply you with the dirt on some of the more popular shows on the air. We'll never put spoilers up here on the main page in order to help the reformed stay unspoiled. If you have anything to add to the group, feel free to step up and let yourself be heard, either with our tips form or by e-mailing us at tvsquad@gmail.com. Your anonymity is guaranteed, if you wish to remain as such.

This week we have spoilers for: 'Dexter,' 'Leverage,' 'Lie to Me' and 'True Blood,' 'V.'

He's already the paterfamilias of the Walker clan on 'Brothers & Sisters,' and now, 'Top Gun' and 'Picket Fences' star Tom Skerritt is about to finds out he has another baby boy in TV land: He'll play Jimmy Ford, the father of Timothy Hutton's Nate in TNT's 'Leverage.'

The series, about a group of con men and women who work on behalf of those who've been wronged, begins its third season on June 20 (9PM ET), in its new Sunday-night timeslot.

Skerritt is scheduled to pop up in the Aug. 8 episode, 'The Three-Card Monte Job,' in which he not only provides viewers with scoop on Nate's background, but ends up joining his son and Nate's cohorts on a job.

This is Spoilers Anonymous, a weekly column here at TV Squad where we supply you with the dirt on some of the more popular shows on the air. We'll never put spoilers up here on the main page in order to help the reformed stay unspoiled. If you have anything to add to the group, feel free to step up and let yourself be heard, either with our tips form or by emailing us at tvsquad at gmail dot com, or call and leave a message at (775) 640-8479. Your anonymity is guaranteed, if you wish to remain as such.

Jeri Ryan is one of the busiest actresses in television, going from successful series to successful series. Her track record is quite amazing; she's rarely not working.

Earlier this year, she appeared on TNT's 'Leverage' as con artist Tara Cole. Then, during our conversation, she mentioned that she was waiting to hear if her latest pilot was picked up by ABC. It was. She's co-starring with Dana Delany in 'Body of Proof' which will premiere in the fall.

In anticipation of the 'Leverage' season 2 DVD, which hit shelves May 25, Ryan spoke with TV Squad about the show and her multifaceted career.